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| Starfish Flowers |
The starfish cactus (genus Stapelia), flowers bloomed, today. I was hoping to get photos of them opening, but I wasn't able to go out to the garden in the morning, and by the time I went in the afternoon, they had already opened! There was no smell that I could detect, but, obviously, the flies could smell it, because they were already gathering on the flowers!
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| Already attracting flies! |
The 9:00 a.m. phone call (unknown number) woke me up, this morning, but I was able to go back to sleep. The 10:00 a.m. phone call from Aunt T, however, woke me up and I couldn't fall asleep, after that. Aunt just wanted to confirm that I was coming to visit her, tomorrow. I had a slight headache when I woke up, which I put down to getting less than 6 hours of sleep, last night. Or, it might have been due to the weather - it was cloudy and overcast. We were expecting rain, and, according to the news, it did rain in some parts of the city, but there wasn't a single drop of rain in my neighborhood. I didn't water the garden, thinking it might rain, but looks like I will have to water, tomorrow.
I took it easy in the morning. There was another call from Aunt T, who asked again if I was coming to visit her, tomorrow. There was also a call from the dentist's office to remind me of my appointment, tomorrow afternoon.
In the afternoon, I changed the dust covers on the family room sofas and did two loads of laundry. I also began washing the slipcovers on the family room sofas. I used to wash them quite regularly - at least once a year - but the last time I washed them was just before my treatments began. I also called Aunt C to check on her and cousin N.
I received the photocopies of the processed retirement papers in the mail, today, so I called the retirement office to let them know and thank them. There weren't any additional forms to fill out, at this time. It looks like I am all set to retire on October 15.
Later in the afternoon, I took the donations to the animal shelter. They asked for donations of canned pet food, also, so I will take some when I go next.
After I came home, I did my daily walk. I was making a cup of tea, after my walk, when Aunt T called, again. She wanted to confirm I was coming to visit her, tomorrow. Yes, for the third time! LOL. We chatted for a bit and I told her I will call her before I come to visit her, tomorrow.
In the evening, I made a card for my brother:
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| Birthday Card |
Cousin P called later in the evening and we had a long chat. She will go with me to visit Aunt T, tomorrow.
Dinner was freshly cooked rice with curried shrimp from yesterday and green beans from the freezer.
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| Curried Shrimp |
Later in the night, I video chatted with my daughter.
Today, I am grateful for
- Receiving the processed copies of my retirement papers
- Unusual flowers blooming in my garden
- Keeping in touch with family members
- Time to craft
- What I was able to accomplish today
Wednesday's To Do List:
- Make a card for half-brother - DONE
- Post office to mail the card - Thursday
- Animal shelter to take donations (couldn't do it, earlier) - DONE
- Daily walk (30 mins) - DONE
- Laundry - DONE (2 loads)
- Water indoor plants - DONE
- Start cleaning the 3rd bedroom
Thursday's To Do List:
- Post office
- Daily walk
- Put away laundry
- Do another load
- Dentist - 3:00 p.m.
- Visit Aunt T
- Water the garden
Nightly visitor:
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| Possum outside my sliding glass door |
I am amazed that you were able to get such a great photo of the possum. I would assume that they are shy creatures.Are they not? Or maybe they are almost blind? Anyways, great shot!
ReplyDeleteI love, love that card you made for your brother. Great use of layering mats, masculine colours and simple embellishments. I recognized the use of deckle edged scissors. I may help myself to your card design. He should be duly impressed.
The starfish cactus is amazing. Yes, they really do look like starfish. I think they are a great addition to your garden.
Despite your headache, and lack of a good night's sleep, you managed almost all of that verrry long to-do list. Yay!
The possum ignores me for the most part, as long as I don't open the sliding glass door. I can tap on the door and it'll go right on looking for any dry cat food the cats might have missed! I was trying to get it to look up at me to take a better picture, but it was like, "Don't bother me, lady; can't you see I am dining?" LOL!
DeleteThank you, Susan. I am glad you like the card. I hope you'll use the card design. :)
The starfish cactus will grow from cuttings, I read. I think I will be propagating a few more plants. :)
Yes, I was able to accomplish most of the items on my list. I didn't get to the 3rd bedroom, but that's OK. It's on my list! :D
Hope you are having a good day.
Thanks for the picture of the cactus. They don't grow naturally around here, but I really like them. I don't think I've seen a starfish one before.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read online about this particular plant, it isn't a real cactus, although it is called so (it's a succulent), and it will grow as a houseplant in most zones. My friend M gave me a cutting and I didn't know much about it, until he showed me the buds forming on it! I am thinking I will take some cuttings and grow more plants from it!
DeleteThe starfish cactus flowers are great, so different and such an interesting colour. The possum photo is amazing. How nice to see him regularly. Do you think he is spying on you and Dancer through the window?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your brother will appreciate the lovely handmade card, and I hope he will have a very happy birthday.
Those flowers do look a bit other-worldly, don't they? The possum comes to look for food and to drink from the garden cats' water dish! Dancer chirps at it, but the possum ignores him! :D
DeleteI hope my brother appreciates the card, Bushlady. :) He shares the same birthday as my mother, who was his step-mother.